Carolyn's blog

Health and Success for Young Men of Color

Our state's future prosperity and health depends on all Californians having a fair chance to thrive and succeed.  However, the growing population of young men of color faces poor health and well-being outcomes at a disproportionately higher rate than their white counterparts.  The proliferation of severe school disciplinary measures disproportionately pushes boys and young men ofcolor

FAIR Education Act’s 1st Victory!

I was so proud to testify this morning in support of the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful (FAIR) Education Act (SB 48), and I’m even more pleased to share the good news that in a vote of 6-3, the FAIR Education Act passed out of the California Senate Education Committee.

ACTION ALERT: Prevent Suicide - Make It Better NOW

LGBT youth should not have to suffer through bullying at school. We can Make It Better NOW! 

Columnist Dan Savage launched "It Gets Better," a video message in response to recent youth suicides to tell LGBT youth that life gets better after high school. 

Bullied to Death: GSA Activists Mourn Youth Suicides and Call for Action

Students and staff from Gay-Straight Alliance Network mourn the tragic death of 13-year-old Seth Walsh, who died yesterday after relentless anti-LGBT bullying at school drove him take his own life.  Officials at Jacobsen Middle School in Tehachapi, California failed to put a stop to the bullying.

Building the National GSA Movement One State at a Time

For five years, GSA Network has been the leader and convener of the National Association of GSA Networks.  Each year we bring the members of the National Association together for a national summit aimed at strengthening the GSA movement across the country.  This year, we held the National Gathering in Providence, Rhode Island -- our first time meeting

The Impact of Prop 8 on Youth in California Schools

On June 16, 2010 closing arguments begin in the federal trial challenging the constitutionality of California's Prop 8, the ban on marriage for same-sex couples that voters passed in November 2008. Judge Vaughn Walker issued a set of questions that he asked each side to address in their closing arguments.

GSA Youth Leaders Win $5,000 College Scholarships

GSA Network offers our congratulations to the thirteen high school seniors who won an eQuality Scholarship this year!  The high school students will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship from the eQuality Scholarship Collaborative, which awards students in Northern and Central California who have promoted understanding of and equality for the LGBTQ community.

Why Prom Matters

You probably know a lot about Constance McMillen.  Constance is the 18-year-old senior at Itawamba Agricultural High School in Fulton, Mississippi who had the guts to challenge her district’s ban on same-sex couples attending prom.  She asked her Vice Principal for permission to bring her girlfriend and to wear a tux.  He said no.  So she sought help from the ACLU.